Good morning and happy Saturday. Don’t forget about all of the post-valentine’s day items that will be on clearance today. Go buy yourself a couple of heart shaped boxes of candy, binge watch Hallmark movies, and enjoy the day.
The other day, Michelle and I were at the gym trying to burn some calories before the onslaught of the obligatory excesses of Valentine’s Day candies and desserts. As I scurried along on the elliptical, I was thankful to be inside instead of out in the arctic tundra that was just beyond the window. After contemplating the deeper meaning of Hotel California, Snowblind, and Yellow Submarine, I scanned the view outside the window to see if there was anything of interest going on in the world. One poor soul stood out in the extreme cold waiting for her dog to do its business. ( I hope she read the article on DNA testing). I think the dog was protesting because it was so cold and that it was forced to wear one of those brightly colored dog sweaters. One of the maintenance guys came by to check the levels in the hot tub. Even though the windchill was below zero, there is a schedule that must be followed. For once, the construction site adjacent to our complex was at a standstill. These guys have been working in some cold and wet conditions. However, due to the extreme temperatures, they finally got a day off. In the distance, I could see the cars traversing along the highway. Traffic appeared to be lighter than normal, but many people were still adhering to the daily grind. As I looked toward the horizon, there is one building that that sometimes catches my attention. It is way off in the distance up on a hill. From my perch there on the elliptical I assume it is the furthest away that I can see. I wondered once again how far it was to that building. How long would it take to run there?
As I ran along at less than Usain Bolt speed, I had an interesting thought. I had been running for around twenty-five minutes at this point, and I was no closer to that building in the distance than when I first started. I could run as fast as I could or I could slow way down. It wouldn’t change my ETA one bit. If my goal was actually to run to that particular building then I would have to use something other than an elliptical or a treadmill to get there. My highly fashionable athletic footwear would actually have to touch the ground at some point. I would need to leave the machines that artificially simulate real life and propel myself forward over hill and over dale, up and down the dusty trail. I would need to leave that controlled environment (with climate control, flat screen tv’s, drink machines and a cupholder) and get out in the real world. Ok, before you think that I was just suffering oxygen depravation or low blood sugar, there is an application in this. Since I have been running on the machines on a consistent basis, I could (if I actually wanted to) run/jog/walk/crawl to that building in the distance. Of course, I am not going to when the windchill is below zero (or, probably ever since there is no real reason to do so). But, if that was a legitimate goal, it could be achieved.
In a similar manner, the spiritual disciplines that you employ are meant to prepare you for living life out in the real world. For instance, it is fairly easy to read the Bible on a consistent basis. There are apps to remind you every day. Some of them will even read the passages to you. I personally like to read early in the morning. Usually, I am in a comfortable chair with a cup of coffee near my side. Sometimes, there is a window nearby where I can see the world outside my controlled environment. However, one thing that I have to keep in mind is that simply reading through the Bible is not necessarily the goal. Not only is it the acquisition of knowledge, it is transformation with the intent of application in ones daily life. Many people start with the best intentions of reading through the Bible each year. We are midway through February and many have already starting falling behind or quit altogether. Perhaps, one reason is that the goal was only to read through the material. For many people, that starts feeling like running on a treadmill. Soon, you lose interest and wonder what the point is. That is why it is important to understand that the actual goal should be preparation in order to live it out in the real world.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Hope to see you Sunday.
Love God. Love others. Impact our community. Change the world.
Pastor Larry
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